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Posted on Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.

Wylie Elementary School in Dexter locked down after report of gunshots

By Kyle Feldscher

Wylie Elementary School in Dexter was placed into lockdown Wednesday afternoon as a precautionary measure after loud noises that were reported as gunshots were heard behind the school.

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Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derrick Jackson said the noises sounded similar to gunshots or fireworks and the school, located at 3060 Kensington St., was locked down after the report. At least four sheriff’s office cars were at the school investigating as of 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, he said.

The source of the noises was not known, but no one was injured and there was no known threat to the school or its students, Jackson said.

Dexter Superintendent Mary Marshall said at 2:50 p.m., some teachers at the school heard a series of about seven noises that sounded like gunshots. Because it was dismissal time for the children, staff kept the children inside their classrooms until police could be called, she said.

“Because we couldn’t identify the source of the noises and the children were about to head outside to load buses, we were concerned about the safety of the kids,” she said.

Parent Christian Ward said he was standing around with about 30 other parents waiting to pick up their children Wednesday afternoon and was “getting nervous” when four cars from the sheriff’s department showed up. The principal, Mary Cooper, made an announcement at about 3:15 p.m. stating children with parents at the school could leave but children riding the bus had to stay in their classrooms.

At about 3:40 p.m. Marshall said police gave the OK and the buses were loaded. She said children will be about 20 to 25 minutes late getting home and parents should not worry.

“Police think it may have been firecrackers from a neighborhood near the school,” Marshall said. “We’re glad it was nothing serious.”


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K-12 education reporter Danielle Arndt contributed to this story.

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

BradP

Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 3:41 a.m.

I prefer this title "Firecrackers Ignited Near Dexter Bus Hub Lead to School Lockdown" from The Patch and also the important follow-up information that "Marshall said the entire incident was over within 20 minutes and deputies discovered about seven used firecrackers. They are not sure who set them off." Pretty clear now that it was not gunshots, and although the teachers acted appropriately and the schools should have been locked down, the title of this article seems a little out of step. For about 20 minutes people thought it may have been gunshots. But then they found out it wasn't. The end.

Laura Jones

Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.

I was waiting at Wylie to pick up my daughter when the police pulled up. I would say the school handled it very well. The police did not spend time telling people what was happening - they went right out to survey the problem, as they should. My daughter reported they all understood the lock down was not a drill and everyone quietly and calmly did what they were supposed to do. She said it was quiet, "not at all like a drill". Some children were upset and praying, but they calmed each other and waiting until the all clear came. Her class was told that the signal was not given indicating that a threat was inside the school, so that helped them as well. I saw some children in tears as they left, which was heartbreaking. Sadly, this is they world we live in now where monsters do terrible things to children, so we have to take serious precautions. I am sure their parents are reassuring them that school is safe, evidenced by the fine job they did today. It did occur to me after listening to my daughter tell her story of today's adventure that we do not pay teachers commensurate with what we ask of them.

Jared Mauch

Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.

Really wish the schools did not break the law with caller-id of 411-000-0000 when sending these automated blasts out. Would also have been useful to also get an e-mail from them as well.

DNB

Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.

I've got children of various ages, and I answer the phone, no matter what the caller ID says. An emergency can happen anytime, and ANYONE could be calling you about your child, or your spouse. You're really upset with the school about the caller ID number used?!

perfectly lubricated weather vane

Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.

Oh, THAT's what that call was this afternoon. I saw the weird number on my cell phone and didn't take the call. For important calls, I think the school district ought to reconsider using a phone number that looks so much like phone spam.

Eva Johnson

Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.

I am just glad I got a call. I was waiting at the bus stop and was starting to get worried!

Jared Mauch

Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.

James, I received the call and didn't know it was important. If I see the school number (which they did during the Tornado updates), I would know its important. Getting half a voicemail on my cell phone while traveling and trying to coordinate from 300 miles away is an issue for parents. Kids are still not home 40+ minutes late as of now.

james

Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.

really? Kids possible could be in danger and the only thing you can think about is that they might be breaking the law with caller id?